GLASS: Indigenous Knowledge. Tropical Biology.

The Guyana Lesley Abroad
Service Semester (GLASS) provides the opportunity for profound cultural exchange between Lesley students and the Macushi people of the Yupukari region in Guyana. The first study abroad program in the
country of Guyana, GLASS is unique in that it supports a local initiative to increase literacy and numeracy among the local indigenous population, while providing rigorous education in environmental studies.

The program's in-depth
Culture and Place Immersion with communal indigenous village life allows
students to gain deep appreciation for human and biological diversity, and
the close ties between them. Students learn informally from the Macushi people's strong relationship with
their environment - living close to the land to sustain themselves without
money. Students engage in formal learning centered around tropical human ecology and indigenous natural resource management. Both groups benefit from collaborating on English language
instruction and learning and community-based environmental research.

GLASS allows students to put theory into practice by working alongside local residents to implement projects identified by the community. They have the opportunity to apply research methods learned in the classroom to field research, and then document and disseminate program findings.

- Dr. Dave Morimoto, program founder

GLASS is a 16-credit study abroad program comprised of one credit for pre-trip planning and orientation, three 3-credit courses, and a 6-credit internship. Permission to apply the internship to fulfill a major requirements must be approved by the student's academic adviser and division director.